Odd stamps : 06 l Stamps on cotton / silk

Is it innovation, creativity or just another way to make collectors pay a lot for stamps that are not really stamps, or at least not meant to be used as postal stamps...
Some countries tend to be specialised in one or more 'special' stamps each year.

Two stamps made out of woven tissue, were issued by the Austrian postal services to honour the tradional clothing of Styria (Steiermark).

Coat of arms of Styria (Steiermark)

Steiermark is a region that is mainly in Austria, but also partly in Slovenia.
Historically seen, the Dutchy of Styria, was part of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1806 it became part of the Austrian-Hungarian empire, till the end of world war I.
The treaty of Saint Germain, named after a village near Paris, where this treaty was signed in 1919, devided Styria in an Austrian part and a Yougoslavian part.
Since the split up of Yougoslavia, and Slovenia's independence in 1991, the southern part of Styria is now in Slovenia.

A typical, tradional hat in Styria, is the Styrian hat.
The colour also refers to the colours in the coat of arms.

woven stamp 'Styrian hat'

This Austrian stamp is made out of woven cloth, at the back it was made self adhesive, so it can be used as a postal stamp. The perforation is also created by the structure of the weaving.

A second 'stamp' emitted by Austria, also shows a piece of tradional clothing, although this is not exclusively an Austrian piece of clothing.
It is called - as in German - a lederhosen.
This specific type of pants is still used, especially for folkloric use. Besides in Austria, it's is also well know in Southern Germany, like Bavaria for example.

stamp made out of suede

Lederhosen were worn for hard physical work, they were more durable then a fabric garment. Traditional lederhosen are hand made of tanned deer leather, which makes the pants soft and light. The hat stamp mentionnes the country name in English, and the lederhosen-stamp does it in German.

There's only a very small chance you will find these stamps postally used. and if so, don't expect to see a nice cancel on the 'stamp'.

Lederhosen boys with (Styrian) hat